EXPERIENCES OF CULTURAL DISCONNECTEDNESS AMONG BOSNIAN AMERICAN DIASPORA: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

ABSTRACT Diaspora, including immigrants and refugees, undergo various experiences in their new host countries related to cultural identity formation. One of the factors related to cultural identity development within the United States is feeling caught in between two identities, resulting in never truly feeling “here or there” (Suárez-Orozco & Suárez-Orozco, 2001). Experiences of cultural disconnectedness have been highlighted among the Bosnian American diaspora in numerous studies over the last two decades. Previous studies briefly described the challenges associated with diaspora balancing their native Bosnian cultures and host American cultures. The current study focused on the gap in the literature by gaining a deeper understanding of the universal experience of cultural disconnectedness among Bosnian American diaspora and the subsequent impacts of these experiences on their psychological well-being using a phenomenological perspective. The findings revealed that experiences of cultural disconnectedness among seven Bosnian American participants were comprised of nine major themes. Regarding psychological well-being, a wide range of emotions and behaviors related to experiences of cultural disconnectedness were reported, such as sadness, anger, frustration, defensiveness, pride, avoidance, hiding their Bosnian culture, and desires for cultural connectedness, underscoring how the balancing of two cultures can look different and have varying consequences. Results provided a novel contribution to the literature and gave a voice to Bosnian American diaspora, describing their lived experiences and providing helpful insights and experiences that need to be considered in future research

The increasing happiness of US parents

Previous research suggests that parents may be less happy than non-parents. We critically assess the literature and examine parents’ and non-parents’ happiness-trends using the General Social Survey (N = 42,298) and DDB Lifestyle Survey (N = 75,237). We find that parents are becoming happier over time relative to non-parents, that non-parents’ happiness is declining absolutely, and that estimates of the parental happiness gap are sensitive to the time-period analyzed. These results are consistent across two datasets, most subgroups, and various specifications. Finally, we present evidence that suggests children appear to protect parents against social and economic forces that may be reducing happiness among non-parents

A Comparison of Social Disconnectedness and Perceived Isolation in Deaf/Hard of Hearing Women and Hearing Women

Previous research has concluded that hearing loss is related to psychological risk factors in a person that could potentially increase feelings of disconnect or isolation. However, the gap in literature and lack of knowledge regarding social disconnectedness and perceived isolation specifically for deaf/hard of hearing women makes it difficult for clinicians to develop appropriate programs to assist this population. The purpose of this study was to contribute information regarding the effects of hearing loss on social disconnectedness and perceived isolation to help clinicians create proper treatment plans to better assist the deaf/hard of hearing with negative feelings (e.g., loneliness, depression) resulting from those conditions. The dialogue and psychosocial theories provided the best foundation for this study as to how hearing loss can affect isolation and disconnectedness. The design of this quantitative study included a survey created from the social disconnectedness and perceived isolation scales for 97 participants who were deaf/hard of hearing (n = 45) or hearing (n = 52) to examine differences in isolation and disconnectedness. An independent-samples t test was utilized, and statistically significant findings showed that hard of hearing women who were 18 to 49 years old experienced more feelings of social disconnectedness than hearing women in the same age group, and that hearing women 18 and older and 50 and older experienced more feelings of perceived isolation more than their deaf/hard of hearing counterparts. The implication for social change pertains to the importance of understanding the effects of hearing loss on an individual\u27s psychological processes. This knowledge can be helpful for clinicians when determining proper treatment strategies

Searching for the Good Vibes: Examining the Relationship Between Self-transcendent Social Media and Social Isolation

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health and well-being have been a serious concern for researchers. Studies have shown that social isolation brought on by lockdowns and social distancing have led to increased feelings of loneliness and disconnectedness (Giallonardo et al., 2020; Pancani et al., 2021). Researchers have also discovered that self-transcendent media and eudaimonic media experiences generate positive feelings of inspiration, relatedness, awe, and connectedness (Oliver et al., 2019). The purpose of this mixed methods study is to explore the relationship between self-transcendent social media video consumption and feelings of loneliness and social disconnectedness attributed to social isolation. In a qualitative study, RQ1 asked what types of social media video content produce eudaimonic media experiences, and RQ2 asked what factors influence an individual to consume self-transcendent social media video content. A list of social media video types reported to foster eudaimonic media experiences was generated and the motivations for consuming self-transcendent social media video content is discussed. A quantitative study was then conducted, hypothesizing that (H1) the more self-transcendent media is consumed, the fewer the feelings of loneliness associated with social isolation will be reported, and (H2) the more self-transcendent media is consumed, the fewer the feelings of social disconnectedness associated with social isolation will be reported. Both hypotheses were partially supported. The thesis concludes with a discussion that outlines the implications of this research, and proposes new directions for the future exploration of self-transcendent media and the eudaimonic media experience

Metropolis on the margins: talent attraction and retention to the St. John’s city-region

The objective of this research is to examine the factors that influence the attraction and retention of creative and highly educated workers in a small-sized Canadian city. The study examines two hypotheses: that the social dynamics of city-regions constitute the foundations of economic success in the global economy; and, that talented, highly educated individuals will be attracted to those city-regions that offer a richness of employment opportunity, a high quality of life, a critical mass of cultural activity and social diversity. The hypotheses are explored through in-depth interviews with creative and highly educated workers, employers and intermediary organizations. The evidence from the interviews suggests mixed support for the hypotheses. In view of these findings, we contend that the specificities of place must be more carefully theorized in the creative class literature and be more carefully considered by policy-makers designing policies directed towards attracting and retaining talented and highly educated workers

Connectedness in education as a social critique of individualism: an analysis of cultural foundations course

In this qualitative research the author explores, investigates, and analyzes dis/connectedness—and the many ways it manifests within the individual, social, and political spheres—by drawing on multiple perspectives (philosophy, history and sociology). This research also examines the relationship between dis/connectedness, critical pedagogy and social justice education; and how interjecting dis/connectedness discourses into cultural foundations in education course might advance a better understanding of social justice issues in U.S. society, and in the school system in particular. By employing multi-dimensional methodology approach, the empirical portion of this research examines how pre-service teachers and school social workers responded to a Pedagogy of Connectedness — which emphasizes community, identity, and social responsibility. Using five sections of a cultural foundations in education course, including more than 120 reflection papers written by the students and 11 interviews, the results of this study show that a pedagogy that is grounded in investing in relationships, cultivating a sense of community, understanding the ways identity markers function within power structures, and realizing one’s social responsibility to the communities one belongs to are key components in becoming social change agents. Furthermore, emphasizing community, identity and social responsibility becomes a vehicle that assists students to ask new questions about the social constructs, norms and values while assisting educators’ efforts to facilitate students’ transformation

Circumstances that promote social connectedness in older adults participating in intergenerational programs with adolescents:a realist review

Objectives Limited social connectedness in older adults is a risk factor for poor physical and mental health. Older adults who are socially isolated, lonely and disconnected have a higher risk of chronic illness, depression and premature death. Current literature suggests that improved social connectedness reduces these risks. Intergenerational programmes are an effective way to improve health outcomes. Despite this, there is yet to be a review using realist review methods that seeks to identify the circumstances that promote social connectedness in older adults participating in intergenerational programmes with adolescents.Design A realist review methodology was chosen to account for the complexity of intergenerational interventions. Nine studies were included. In line with realist review methodology, iterative data extraction and analysis was conducted to identify the specific contexts, mechanisms and outcomes of the programmes. Specific circumstances were identified to develop theories relating to improved social connectedness in older adults. Data sources MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL were searched using English language limitation. Eligibility criteria Included participants were aged 65 and over (older adults) and between 13 and 19 years (adolescents) participating in intergenerational programmes from non- familial generations. Studies had to be published in English between 2000 and 2020 and could be quantitative, qualitative or mixed- methods primary research studies.Data extraction and synthesis Two independent reviewers used a bespoke data extraction form. All authors were involved in the synthesis process which used the extracted data to illuminate the contexts, mechanisms and outcomes that underpinned reviewed programmes.Results The nine included studies were set in different contexts, including community organisations, schools and aged care facilities. They used an array of interventions including reminiscence therapy, craft or space for conversation. Despite study heterogeneity, the parallels in psychosocial development between older adults and adolescents were shown to be a likely driver for improved social health outcomes. Programmes most likely to improve social health outcomes were those that acknowledged psychosocial development, were delivered in community settings, leveraged pedagogical frameworks, used trained facilitators and supported participants to build relationships through shared purpose.Conclusions This review contributes a logic model to support the design and development of intergenerational programmes involving adolescents to improve social connectedness in older adults. Future research to test the logic model in practice is needed

Would You Rather: Be at Home or in a Home? An Exploration and Comparison of Old-Age Social Connectedness

HonorsSociologyUniversity of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/162652/1/msber.pd

The development of the culture of non-Aboriginal government workers in remote Aboriginal settlements in Central Australia

The successes and failures of interventions to close the disadvantage gap for remote Aboriginal communities have been well documented but the role of the non-Indigenous advisers tasked with carrying out those interventions has remained obscure. This study explores the development of the culture of non-Indigenous government staff living and working in remote Aboriginal settlements in Central Australia in the 1960s and early 1970s. Elements of Constructivist Grounded Theory Methodology and its methods were used to analyse interviews of a representative group of workers. Three core themes were identified: Confronting disconnectedness, Finding our own space within the institution, and We formed a new social framework. Further analysis led to a descriptive narrative that incorporated personal characteristics, social processes, reactions to ambiguous governance structures, and the creation of a new social structure. From this analysis, three propositions can be drawn: (1) Remote communities with an absence of governance structures attracted workers characterised by a preference for autonomy and self-organisation, workers who sought difference, meaning and adventure. (2) Remote Aboriginal settlements with inadequate governance structures resulted, paradoxically, in social connectedness being contingent on the ability to maintain and navigate distance from other people. (3) The stronger the governance structures, the more cohesive the group. This led to less need for external networking, which, in turn, lessened the likelihood that remote workers would be influenced by other external factors. The relationship between the strength of governance structures and the workers’ personal characteristics determined how, and with whom, non-Indigenous workers formed meaningful connections. Conclusions: The ongoing heterarchical network – an unranked collective of absent, unclear or frequently changing hierarchies - that is identified in this thesis, would likely benefit from the development of a national peak body which could aggregate and maintain an organisational structure, and formalise training and the maintenance of professional standards of workers in remote settlements

An Examination of Enterprise Social Media and its Impact on Employees in a Global Corporate Organization

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore perceptions on the impact enterprise social media has on employees in a global corporate organization with a geographically diverse workforce. The 15 study participants were part of three select groups of a global corporate organization, each with differing levels of geographic distribution. There were three instruments used in this study to maximize the acquisition of information from the study participants: a written survey, one-on-one interviews with each study participant, and a focus group where multiple study participants were permitted to share their perceptions on the use and effectiveness of enterprise social media in the workplace. The findings from the research show that as the workplace becomes more geographically distributed and the number of employees working from home increases, enterprise social media is a tool that can help support the challenges of employee communication, collaboration, and connection. A geographically diverse workplace can leave employees with a sense of disconnectedness impacting their overall performance. When employees feel engaged by the organization they work for, they are more motivated to connect with others, share new ideas and innovations, collaborate with other employees, and participate more actively in the employee socialization process. The findings from this study could provide direction for corporate leadership to take advantage of enterprise social media’s impacts on collaboration, communication, and connectedness